Tournament or Cavalry Shield (Targe)

Unknown

early 15th century · Wood, leather, gesso, silver, paint · Arms and Armor

The notch at the upper left served to support the lance of a charging knight. The coat of arms is thought to belong to either the von Meissau or the Eglauer family, both of Austria. On the banderoles is the defiant motto IO HARR · LAS UBER GAN (possibly, "Just wait. You'll be beaten"). Part of the motto, IO HARR, is repeated around the border. The shield comes from Reifenstein castle, in the Austrian Tirol. The castle was owned by the religious, military order known as the Teutonic Knights.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 15th century

Medium

Wood, leather, gesso, silver, paint

Culture

probably Austrian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Clarence H. Mackay, 1930